Mechanical pencil



jam. W9 1950 H. w. SAMS MECHANICAL PENCIL ll/ in.'4448355551111inurl. 1.l l

lhwentor W. ams

Filed May 2e, 1948 lllllllllllllllll Il (Ittornegs Herbe-ri PatentedJan. 17, 1950 "OF F il CE '-MEcHANIcAnPENcIL Herbert `W. Sams,z Atlanta,...Gam assignor to Scripta.Inc.,a..corporation feorgalAplvlication"May1726, 1948, Serial LN @29,245

-19 Claims.

This invention'relates to mechanical pencils and more particularly to`means foractuating the .lead Vfeed mechanisms `offsuch; pencils.

In the construction of mechanical pencils of the type comprising -a leadfeed mechanism housed ina barrel and operated from-a ferrule "'tted onthe top end ofthe vbarrel,A one of the zprincipal problemsis theprovisionof a1-simple, eiicient'means' -for connecting the operating.-fer- 'rule for actuation, of Y ther leadfeed mechanism.

Usually the operating ferruleis alsoiused-.to carry -an eraser` so thatprovision-must be made for .removing the ferrule. easily Whenever 'itisde- `Vsired toreplace-a Wornf4 eraser.- Also, the-means for connecting.the voperating ferrulevvith the lead feed mechanism-should:provideiorrestraining reverse movement of Lthelead -feedf-mechanismiunder Writing pressure While still permitting easy actuation of .thelead feed mechanism. from-.the operating ferrule for=forward-orreverselmovement.

.According .to .the .presentinvention .the above purposesareaccomplished ina particularlyeffective manner by theqprovision of a cap.member formed for disposition. over-the top end :of the pencil barrel toretain-the. operating `ferrulein place and connect this ferrule:fonactuationof the lead feed mechanism. Briefly.- described-the capmemberprovided according to thepresent invention comprises Na base-portion for-med -for engagement with the lead feed mechanism .and Wingportions depending from the base-portion to overlie the side yofthebarreladjacentfits top end.

These Wing 'portions are formed "with bosseslf `..theleadguide tube `2l.,'.Referenceis made to adapted -for frictional contact with theoperatingferrule so that the lead feedmechanismmaybe driveny from the operatingferrule, and* they wing portions are further arranged so-that theycarepressed in frictional vcontactwith the side ofthe barrel-adjacent its-topiend `by theoperatinguferrule to restrain reverse movementof thelead -feed mechanism underwriting. pressureras described more in detail.below rin-1connection .with-.tbe

`accompanying drawing illustratingrthe present invention, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sideelevation;` partly insectionpofza fmechanical pencilincorporatinga cap, member arranged laccordingto the present invention;

Fig.f2 is a fragmentarysectional detail of .the

.used according `to the;V arrangement.'illustratedxin (erizo-18) Figs 1-to;v3,.. inclusive, forscon-necting the operatri-ngf -ferrule `withthef lead. feed mechanism;

- Fig.- 5. is fa. fragmentary. sectional detail.correspondinggenerallyto.V Fig. 2, vlout illustratinga .g5 modified formof cap member. embodying the presentinvention; Fig. 6 is a section takenon the line .f6- e6 *Eig. 5;

- Fig. -7 is..a.,sidel.1elevation `ofthe cap member 'rlosused accordingtouthearrangement illustrated in yFigs..5 and; Y

-Fig...8vis Aa fragmentary sectional detail correspondinggenerallyi to.-Figs.. 2-and \5,- .butshowing a further alternative.arrangementofracap memberembodyingthe .present invention;

`.Fig..-9 isv-'a vsection-taken .ont the line 9-'9 in ..-Fig.=8 and,

Fig. 10 is.\a-:sidef.elevation\. of l the 1 cap. .memberk.used-.according tothearrangement shown in Figs. l20 8 and 9.

.The-.mechanical.pencil shownI in Fig. 1 ofthe `drawing .-iszofthesame-general type disclosed in v.the copendingapplicationof Blanchard D.Smith, ,Serial-No. 634;271,'1ed December 11, .1945, and

comprisesa;.barrel..25 housing` a lead feed mecha- .n-ism indicated4generally by the numeral Z'. The lead feed( mechanism -e 26 .comprises alongitudiunallyslotted leadguidev-tube Z'Land a lead-gripping.andejecting mechanism. 28. :The leadgrip- ...ping andejecti-ngt-mechanism 28 includesa" propelling .membersZSformedwithexternal screw threadsengaginglinternal screw threads 30-inv'thebarrel 25101: feeding movement` of lead.k Slat 'the Writing endofthe barrel .25..upon rotation -of 140 "reta-inedin"the-'barrel' 25 byan assembly cap. 32

*xe'dover' the top endof 'the barrel 25'by dimpling 'ort-helike-as-indicated at`33. The lead guide "-tubefZleeXtends slightlyfromthe top endof the "barrel-F-'throug-h-a'central aperture at`34 in thefklaassembly cap 32,1and 'the-"guide tubeZl is formed with ears struckout below the assembly cap Vfltso'that.thergui'de tube is retained inthe barrel 125:pbut is free; forxrotation" (compare Fig. '2)

caplmember formed-.according to the prescent. inventionispdisposed-.over thefassembly cap'f32 .eat the.: topgendlofthecbarrel25. Thisk cap. member @36 :comprises .aobase'portion f3l formed: for.engagementY ewith the -Yextending -end .-of fthe lead gguidetube -:2l,and-=wingz portions V38 :depending s Ironrfthe base portolr'lfto.-overlie: theasideoff the barrel 25, i. e., the assembly cap 32,adjacent its top end. For engagement with the lead guide tube 21, thebase portion 31 of the cap member 36 is formed with a central aperture39 tting over the lead guide tube 21 and having a protruding lug portion40 shaped to engage the longitudinal slot in the guide tube 21, so thatthe guide tube 21 is keyed for rotation with the cap member 32. Abovethe base portion 31, further ears 4| are struck out on the guide tube 21to retain the cap member 36 in place on the top end of the barrel 25.

As previously mentioned, the depending wing portions 38 are formed withbosses 42 adapted for frictional contact with the operating ferrule 43which retain the operating ferrule 43 in place jacent these lateral sideedges, so that it is the at the top end of the barrel 25 and connect itv through the cap member 36 for driving the lead feed mechanism 26. Inthe form of a cap member illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, of thedrawing, the bosses 42 are centrally disposed on the wing portions 38,and four wing portions 38 are preferably provided so that the bosses 42are regularly spaced circumferentially 90 apart. The top end of theoperating ferrule 43 may be arranged, as shown, to carry an eraser 44,if desired.

The wing portions 38 are further formed with a transverse curvaturediffering from the curvature of the exterior surface of the barrel 25,or assembly cap 32, adjacent its top end. In the form of cap' member 36illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, of the drawing, the wingportions 38 are formed with a greater transverse curvature, i. e., areformed on a smaller radius, than the exterior surface of the barrel 25,so that the Wing portions 38 are disposed for frictional contact withthe side of the barrel 25 adjacent their lateral side edges, and arecentrally spaced from the side of the barrel 25 (compare Fig. 3).

As mentioned above, the bosses 42 are centrally disposed on the wingportions 38, so that they are consequently located at the above notedpoint of central spacing of the wing portions 38 from the side of thebarrel 25. As a result, when the operating ferrule 43 is fitted on thetop end of the barrel 25, frictional contact with the bosses 32 causesthe wing portions 38 to be forced inwardly against the side of thebarrel 25 so that the wing portions 38 are pressed adjacent theirlateral side edges in frictional contact with the side of the barrel 25.This frictional contact on the barrel 25 imposes a drag on operation ofthe lead feed mechanism 26 so that the tendency for reverse movement ofthe lead feed mechanism 26 under writing pressure when the pencil is inuse is effectively restrained. The manner in which the wing portions 38are formed according to the present invention with a curvature differingfrom that of the barrel 25 provides a spring action for effecting theabove described frictional contact with the side of the barrel 25 whichmaintains the frictional contact substantially uniform despite thetolerance which must be allowed in manufacturing operations.

A modied form of cap member 45 arranged according to the presentinvention is illustrated in Figs. 5 tov 7, inclusive, of the drawing. Asin the case of the rst embodiment described above, the cap member 45comprises a base portion 46 and depending wing portions 41. The baseportion 46 in this instance is generally rectangular and is formed withan aperture 48 having a protruding lug portion 49 engaging the leadguide central section of the wing portions 41 that is pressed infrictional contact with the side of the barrel 25 when the operatingferrule 43 is in place. Preferably, the wing portions 41 are extendedlaterally a sucient distance to allow the bosses 50 to be regularlyspaced circumferentially apart. 'I'his arrangement enhances the springaction of the wing portions 41 when they are pressed in frictionalcontact with the side of the barrel 25 by the operating ferrule 43.

An alternative arrangement of the embodiment just described isillustrated in Figs. 8 to 10, inelusive, of the drawing, in which thecap member 5| is formed with a base portion 52 having an aperture 53shaped with a protruding lug portion 54 for engagement with the leadguide tube 21, and depending wing portions 55 formed with a transversecurvature less than that of the barrel 25, but extending laterally ononly one side. This arrangement further enhances the spring action ofthe wing portions 55 but involves a somewhat more complicatedconstruction. As in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7 of thedrawing, the wing portions 55 are formed with bosses 56 adjacent theirlateral side edges for frictional contact with the operating ferrule 43,and the wing portions 55 are preferably extended laterally a distancesucient to allow the bosses 56 to be regularly spaced circumferentially90 apart.

I claim:

1. In a mechanicalpencil of the type comprising a lead feed mechanismhoused in a barrel and operated from a ferrule tted on the top end ofsaid barrel, a cap member associated with said lead feed mechanism foractuation thereof, said cap member being formed for disposition over thetop end of said barrel and having depending wing portions disposed tooverlie the side of said barrel adjacent its top end, and said dependingwing portions being formed with bosses adapted for frictional contactwith said operating ferrule, whereby said lead feed mechanism may bedriven from said operating ferrule and said wing portions are pressed infrictional contact with the side of said barrel by said operatingferrule for restraining reverse movement of said lead feed mechanismunder writing pressure.

2. In a mechanical pencil of the type comprising a, lead feed mechanismhoused in a barrel and operated from a ferrule fitted on the top end ofsaid barrel, a cap member disposed over the top end of said barrel forretaining said operating ferrule in place, said cap member having a baseportion formed for association with said lead feed mechanism and havingwing portions depending from said base portion to overlie the side ofsaid barrel adjacent its top end, and said wing portions being formedwith bosses adapted for frictional contact with said operating ferrule,whereby said operating ferrule frictionally grips said bosses fordriving said lead feed mechanism and said wing portions are pressed infrictional contact with the side of said barrel by said operatingferrule, and said operating ferrule is deformed for frictional Contactwith said barrel, for restraining reverse movement of said lead feedmechanism under writing pressure.

3. A mechanical pencil comprising a barrel, a lead feed mechanism housedin said barrel, a cap member disposed over the top end of said barrel,and an operating ferrule fitted on the top end of said barrel over saidcap member, said cap member having a base portion formed for keyedengagement with said lead feed mechanism and having wing portionsdepending from said base portion to overlie the side of said barreladjacent its top end, and said wing portions being formed with bossesadapted for frictional contact with said operating ferrule, whereby Saidlead feed mechanism may be driven from said operating ferrule and saidwing portions are pressed in frictional contact with the side 0f saidbarrel by said operating ferrule for restraining reverse movement ofsaid lead feed mechanism under writing pressure.

4. In a mechanical pencil of the type comprising a lead feed mechanismhoused in a barrel and operated from a ferrule fitted on the top end ofsaid barrel, a cap member disposed over the top end of said barrel forconnecting said operating ferrule with said lead feed mechanism foroperation thereof, said cap member having a base portion formed forkeyed engagement with said lead feed mechanism and having wing portionsdepending in a symmetrical pattern from said base portion to overlie theside of said barrel adjacent its top end, and said wing portions beingformed with bosses regularly spaced circumferentially and adapted forfrictional contact with said operating ferrule, whereby said lead feedmechansm may be driven from said operating ferrule and said wingportions are pressed in frictional contact with the side of said barrelby said operating ferrule for restraining reverse movement of said leadfeed mechanism under writing pressure.

5. In a mechanical pencil of the type comprising a lead feed mechanismhoused in a barrel and operated from a ferrule tted on the top end ofsaid barrel, a cap member disposed over the top end of said barrel forconnecting said operating ferrule with said lead feed mechanism foroperation thereof, said cap member having a base portion formed forengagement with said lead feed mechanism and having wing portionsdepending in a symmetrical pattern from said base portion to overlie theside of said barrel adjacent its top end, said wing portions beingformed with a transverse curvature differing from th-e curvature of theexterior surface of said barrel adjacent its top end, whereby said wingportions are partially spaced from the side of said barrel, and saidwing portions being further with bosses positioned on said wing portionsat a point spaced from said barrel and adapted for frictional contactwith said operating ferrule, whereby said lead feed mechanism may bedriven from said operating ferrule and said Wing portions are pressed infrictional contact with the side of said barrel by said operatingferrule for restraining reverse movement of said lead feed mechanismunder writing pressure.

6. In a mechanical pencil of the type comprising a lead feed mechanismhoused in a barrel and operated from a ferrule fitted on the top end ofsaid barrel, a cap member disposed over the top end of said barrel forconnecting said operating ferrule with said lead feed mechanism foroperation thereof, said cap member having a base portion formed forengagement with said lead feed mechanism and having transversely curvedWing portions depending from said base portion to overlie the side ofsaid barrel adjacent its top end, said wing portions being formed with agreater curvature than the exterior surface of said barrel adjacent itstop end, whereby said wing portions are disposed for frictional contactwith the side of said barrel adjacent their lateral side edges and arecentrally spaced from the side of said barrel, and said wing portionsbeing further formed with centrally positioned bosses adapted forfrictional contact with said operating ferrule, whereby said lead feedmechanism may be driven from said operating ferrule and said wingportions are pressed in frictional Contact with the side of said barrelby said operating ferrule for restraining reverse movement of said leadfeed mechanism under writing pressure.

'7. In a mechanical pencil of the type comprising a lead feed mechanismhoused in a barrel and operated from a ferrule tted on the top end ofsaid barrel, a cap member disposed over the top and of said barrel forconnecting said operating ferrule with said lead feed mechanism foroperation thereof, said cap member having a base portion formed forengagement with said lead feed mechanism and having wing portionsdepending from said base portion to overlie the side of said barreladjacent its top end and extending laterally with a transverse curvatureless than the curvature of the exterior surface of the barrel adjacentits top end, whereby said wing portions are spaced from the side of saidbarrel adjacent their lateral side edges, and said wing portions beingfurther formed with bosses positioned adjacent their lateral side edgesand adapted for frictional contact with said operating ferrule, wherebysaid lead feed mechanism may be driven from said operating ferrule andsaid wing portions are pressed in frictional Contact with the side ofsaid barrel by said operating ferrule for restraining reverse movementof said lead feed mechanism under writing pressure.

8. A cap member as defined in claim 7 and further characterized in thatsaid wing portions extend laterally at both sides sufficiently to allowsaid bosses to be regularly spaced circumferentially apart.

9. A cap member as defined in claim '7 and further characterized in thatsaid wing portions extend laterally at only one side a distancesufficient to allow said bosses to be regularly spaced circumferentially90 apart.

HERBERT W. SAMS.

No references cited.

